Thursday, May 9, 2013

MOTHER'S DAY THANK YOU CARD

While it’s customary for children to thank their mothers
for all of their hard work on Mother’s Day, I would like to take this time to
thank my children for everything they have taught me. Here are a few lessons
I’ve picked up so far.

IF
YOU WANT TO PLAY, JUST ASK

A couple of weeks
ago I took my two boys to the playground for a picnic dinner and to take
advantage of the beautiful spring weather. I started feeding Little Bro his
yogurt and told Big Bro he could play for a few minutes before eating his
sandwich. A couple of minutes later, I spied Big Bro bravely approaching a group
of kids who were starting a game of tag. I heard my son announce that he knew
how to play tag too and ask if he could join in the game. They said yes (thankfully)
and when he returned for his sandwich he couldn’t stop telling me about his new
friends. I wondered whether I would be brave enough to approach a group of
mothers in the playground and introduce myself. As you get older, it can be
difficult to meet new people but my three-year old reminded me that if you’re
brave enough to ask to be included, you may just find yourself making a new
friend.

PRACTICE
MAKES PERFECT

This is one of those lessons that I repeat all day long
to my children, but find I need to remind myself of more. You weren’t born
knowing how to do everything to perfection, and it’s important not to give up
so easily after small (or big) failures. Both of my children started swim lessons
a couple of weeks ago, and neither one was particularly thrilled during their
first class. But Big Bro stuck it out in the pool for the entire half hour, and
Little Bro only whimpered for a few minutes before giving in and bouncing along
with Daddy to Humpty Dumpty. And I
smiled as I watched my two children and my husband safely from the dry observation
deck, because if anyone made me get
into the pool early on a Saturday morning I would be crying louder than any of
those kids.

BE
PATIENT AND YOUR CHILD WILL BE POTTY TRAINED BEFORE COLLEGE

I know it’s no secret that potty training can be challenging,
but until you’re in the pee-soaked trenches, you really have no idea what you’re
in for. At one point, I started telling myself that not being potty trained before
high school graduation could end up being an advantage. After all, my son could
write his college essay about still being in pull-ups and that could be his of standing
out in the crowd. Thankfully, he’ll have to find something else to write about.
And I won’t be so discouraged when my younger one isn’t potty trained after one
week.

IF YOU
HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY, DON’T HOLD IT IN

Toddlers have a habit of saying whatever is on their
minds, and sometimes this can be extremely uncomfortable. (“Mommy, I thought
you said you didn’t like her!?”) But with the awkward overshares come the uninhibited
sharing of whatever emotion they happen to be feeling at the moment, which can
be really sweet. We grownups don’t do that nearly enough, so remember that once
in a while it’s important to tell someone how much their friendship means to
you, or to thank your partner for all of their support.

BE
HEALTHY

I recently stopped breastfeeding, and while this can be
an emotional time for mothers, it can also be quite liberating. I suddenly
don’t have to be so vigilant of everything I eat and drink. I can now enjoy a
glass of wine (or two) with my tuna sashimi and not have nightmares later that
night about how I have ruined my son’s future with alcohol and mercury
poisoning. Fortunately, I am now also in the habit of thinking more about what
I put into my body, and I may be more likely to skip the Diet Coke for seltzer
with lemon juice, or try to incorporate more calcium into my diet. I hope some
of those healthier habits stick around.

GO
WITH THE FLOW

Your first child is always under your watchful eye and is
protected from rambunctious older children. The second child is always under
the watchful eye…of their older sibling. But Little Bro never seems to mind
being lifted, poked, and accidentally tripped over. Toys can be flying across
the room, missing his head by an inch, and he’ll just give me a look that seems
to say, “My Big Bro is so silly, but so much fun!” The other day, I walked into
the living room and found my one year old and three-year old standing on the
couch looking out the window. When I inquired how his younger brother got up
there, my older son replied that he had simply picked him up and assured me not
to worry, that when his brother wanted to get down he would just lift him off.
I almost interfered, but then Little Bro turned around and gave me that knowing
smile, assuring me that it was no big deal, so I took his advice and left them
both on the couch.

TO ENJOY
BEING UP EARLY ENOUGH TO SEE THE SUNRISE

What can I say? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

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